Battle of Friedland

The Battle of Friedland (14 June 1807) was the decisive battle of the Fourth Coalition's war against France, occurring when Napoleon lured the Russian general Levin August von Bennigsen into a trap near Friedland, East Prussia (now Pravdinsk, Russia). Bennigsen underestimated the strength of Marshal Jean Lannes' deceptively isolated V Corps, and he brought 62,000 troops to the battle to destroy Lannes' forces after crossing the Alle River (now the Lyna River). Lannes' corps held its ground until Napoleon arrived with reinforcements, bringing the French Army's strength up to 80,000 troops. Napoleon ordered a massive assault on the Russian left flank, commanded by Pyotr Bagration, after holding off the Russian thrusts, and the Russians were routed, with many of them drowning during the retreat. Around 40% of the Russian army was lost during the battle, and the Russian government decided to make peace with France after the Friedland disaster. Russia signed the Treaties of Tilsit with Napoleon, ending the Fourth Coalition and joining the anti-United Kingdom Continental System pact.